How to Send Your Own Books to Kindle

The fastest way to send a book to your Kindle

You can send a document to your Kindle device or app in three ways: email it to your Kindle email address, use the Send to Kindle browser extension, or convert it through Amazon's online tool. The email method works with most file types and requires no software installation. Your Kindle email address is unique to your account and looks like YourName@kindle.com — you can find it in your Amazon account settings under Devices and Content, then Devices, then the specific device you own.

To send a book by email, attach the file to a message and send it to your Kindle email address from an email account you have registered with Amazon. Within minutes, the book appears on your device or in your Kindle app. The sender's email address must match one of the addresses linked to your Amazon account, or Amazon will reject the file. If you want to send from a different email, you can add it to your account first.

Key Takeaways

Your Kindle email address is found in Amazon account settings under Devices and Content, and you can send files to it from any registered email address.
Email works with PDF, MOBI, AZW, and several other formats, but the file size cannot exceed 50 MB.
The Send to Kindle browser extension for Chrome and Firefox lets you send web articles and documents with one click, without typing an email address.
Amazon's online conversion tool at www.amazon.com/sendtokindle turns unsupported file types into Kindle-readable formats before sending.
Files sent by email arrive as personal documents and do not sync across devices unless you enable the option in your Kindle settings.

File types that work with email

Kindle accepts PDF, MOBI, AZW, AZW3, and several other formats when you send by email. Plain text files (.txt) and Microsoft Word documents (.doc and .docx) also work. The device converts most of these automatically, though PDFs sometimes display with formatting changes depending on your Kindle's screen size.

Files larger than 50 MB will be rejected. If you have a very large PDF or image-heavy document, you may need to split it into smaller files or compress it before sending. Amazon does not charge for personal documents sent to your Kindle email, but your wireless carrier may charge data fees if you download over cellular rather than Wi-Fi.

Using the Send to Kindle browser extension

The Send to Kindle extension for Chrome and Firefox adds a button to your browser toolbar that lets you send web pages, PDFs, and documents directly to your Kindle without opening email. Install it from the Chrome Web Store or Firefox Add-ons, then sign in with your Amazon account. Once installed, you can right-click any page or document and select "Send to Kindle" from the menu.

The extension is faster than email if you regularly send articles or web content. It remembers your Kindle device and sends to it automatically. You can also use it to send files from your computer by clicking the extension icon and selecting a file from your hard drive. The extension works offline — it queues the file and sends it the next time you connect to the internet.

Converting unsupported file types

If you have a file format Kindle does not recognize — such as EPUB, which is common in public libraries — you can convert it using Amazon's Send to Kindle tool at www.amazon.com/sendtokindle. Upload the file, choose which Kindle device to send it to, and Amazon converts it before delivery. The conversion usually takes a few minutes.

This method works for EPUB, HTML, RTF, and several other formats. The converted file arrives on your device as a personal document. Note that complex formatting, embedded fonts, or images may not convert perfectly, especially in EPUB files with unusual layouts. If the result looks wrong, try opening the original file in a different format or using a dedicated conversion tool like Calibre before sending.

Making personal documents sync across devices

By default, files you send to your Kindle email address appear only on the device you sent them to. If you want the same book to appear on your phone, tablet, and e-reader, you need to enable syncing in your Kindle settings. On your Kindle device, go to Settings, then Sync, and turn on Synchronize Across Devices. On the Kindle app for phone or tablet, open the menu, select Settings, and toggle on Synchronize Across Devices.

Once enabled, personal documents you send by email will appear on all your Kindle devices and apps. Your reading progress, bookmarks, and highlights sync as well. You can turn this off anytime if you want documents to stay on a single device.

Troubleshooting when files do not arrive

If a file does not appear on your Kindle after sending, first check that you sent it from an email address registered with your Amazon account. Go to your Amazon account settings, select Login & Security, and look at the list of email addresses under Your Accounts. If you sent from a different address, add it to your account or resend from a registered one.

Second, check the file size — anything over 50 MB will be rejected. If the file is too large, compress it or split it into parts. Third, make sure your Kindle device is connected to Wi-Fi or has an active cellular connection. Personal documents do not download automatically if your device is offline. Finally, check your Amazon account's Devices and Content page to see if the file arrived but was not delivered to your device — sometimes files appear there but need to be manually sent to the device.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I send a book to someone else's Kindle?

No, you can only send to Kindle email addresses registered to your own Amazon account. To share a book with someone else, you can lend it through the Kindle app if the publisher allows lending, or send them the original file and have them send it to their own Kindle email address.

What happens to formatting when I send a PDF to Kindle?

PDFs display on Kindle, but the device may reflow text to fit the screen, which can break the original layout. Images and complex formatting may not display as intended. If formatting matters, try converting the PDF to MOBI or AZW format first using a tool like Calibre, then send that version instead.

Do I need Wi-Fi to receive a book I sent to my Kindle?

You need an internet connection — either Wi-Fi or cellular — for the file to download to your device. If your Kindle is offline, the file will not arrive until you connect. Once downloaded, you can read it offline anytime.

Can I send a book to my Kindle app on my phone?

Yes. Your phone's Kindle app has its own Kindle email address if you have a phone-specific device registered in your Amazon account. You can also send to your main Kindle email address and enable Synchronize Across Devices to see it on your phone app automatically.

What file types should I avoid sending to Kindle?

Avoid JPEG, PNG, and other image-only formats unless you want them to display as pictures rather than text. EPUB files work but may not format correctly. If you have an unsupported type, use Amazon's Send to Kindle tool or Calibre to convert it first.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.